Down-hole gas anchor device

Abstract

The present invention is used to separate gas from liquid while being placed downhole in a hydrocarbon producing well. It essentially comprises a means to divert hydrocarbon production fluid from within a tubing string into the annulus of the well. This diversion turbulently mixes the fluid and releases free gas from the liquid. Thereafter, the liquid migrates downward while the free gas migrates upward to a gas collection apparatus. The liquid is reuptaken at an intake spot below the point at which it was diverted. It travels upward through a concentric chamber and subsequently reenters the tubing string at a point above that which it was diverted.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A concentric chamber gas anchor for separating free gas from a well production fluid, which is located downhole in a hydrocarbon producing well, comprising: (a) tubular casing for the well;   (b) a concentrically spaced, interior tubular flow channel for the recovery of production fluid, which contains oil, water and gas;   (c) means for lifting a relatively gas free mixture of production liquid up said flow channel;   (d) an annular space formed between said tubular casing and said flow channel;   (e) a casing packer located between said tubular casing and said flow channel to seal off a lower portion of said annular space;   (f) a subsurface safety valve located in said flow channel above said casing packer;   (g) a tubing plug located in said flow channel above said subsurface safety valve to divert the flow of production fluid, said tubing plug being a removable plug allowing access to any equipment further down the well and allowing bypass of the gas anchor device;   (h) at least one separatory passage for carrying said diverted production fluid from said flow channel to said annular space, each passage being only connected between said flow channel and said annular space, said separatory passage being adapted to facilitate a primary gas/liquid separation;   (i) a concentric chamber located around said flow channel in the area of said separatory passage and said tubing plug formed by attaching an outer shell to the center piece of tubing;   (j) a fluid intake located in the lower portion of said concentric chamber below said separatory passage and above said casing packer to allow the reentry of the diverted liquid production that has flowed out of said separatory passage, and down the annular space for containment in the area that has been blocked off by the casing packer;   (k) a milled space located adjacent said separatory passage, the milled space is in fluid communication with the concentric chamber and carries fluid around said separatory passage; and   (l) perforations on the center tubing located above said separatory passage to allow the reentry of liquid production from the said concentric chamber to said flow channel.   
     
     
       2. A concentric chamber gas anchor for separating free gas from a well production fluid, which is located downhole in a hydrocarbon producing well, comprising: (a) tubular casing for the well;   (b) a concentrically spaced, interior tubular flow channel for the recovery of production fluid, which contains oil, water and gas;   (c) means for lifting a relatively gas free mixture of production liquid up said flow channel;   (d) an annular space formed between said tubular casing and said flow channel;   (e) a casing packer located between said tubular casing and said flow channel to seal off a lower portion of said annular space;   (f) a subsurface safety valve located in said flow channel above said casing packer;   (g) a tubing plug located in said flow channel above said subsurface safety valve to divert the flow of production fluid;   (h) at least one separatory passage for carrying said diverted production fluid from said flow channel to said annular space, each passage being only connected between said flow channel and said annular space, said separatory passage being adapted to facilitate a primary gas/liquid separation;   (i) a concentric chamber located around said flow channel in the area of said separatory passage and said tubing plug formed by attaching an outer shell to the center piece of tubing;   (j) a fluid intake located in the lower portion of said concentric chamber below said separatory passage and above said casing packer to allow the reentry of the diverted liquid production that has flowed out of said separatory passage, and down the annular space for containment in the area that has been blocked off by the casing packer;   (k) a milled space located adjacent said separatory passage, the milled space is in fluid communication with the concentric chamber and carries fluid around said separatory passage; and   (l) perforations on the center tubing located above said separatory passage to allow the reentry of liquid production from the said concentric chamber to said flow channel;   
     
     
       (m) triangular plates, said triangular plates fixably attached under said concentric chamber whereby said plates serve as guides for equipment run into the well. 
     
     
       3. A concentric chamber gas anchor for separating free gas from a well production fluid, which is located downhole in a hydrocarbon producing well, comprising: (a) tubular casing for the well:   (b) a concentrically spaced, interior tubular flow channel for the recovery of production fluid, which contains oil, water and gas;   (c) means for lifting a relatively gas free mixture of production liquid up said flow channel;   (d) an annular space formed between said tubular casing and said flow channel;   (e) a casing packer located between said tubular casing and said flow channel to seal off a lower portion of said annular space;   (f) a subsurface safety valve located in said flow channel above said casing packer;   (g) a tubing plug located in said flow channel above said subsurface safety valve to divert the flow of production fluid;   (h) at least one separatory passage for carrying said diverted production fluid from said flow channel to said annular space, each passage being only connected between said flow channel and said annular space, said separatory passage being adapted to facilitate a primary gas/liquid separation;   (i) a concentric chamber located around said flow channel in the area of said separatory passage and said tubing plug formed by attaching an outer shell to the center piece of tubing;   (j) a fluid intake located in the lower portion of said concentric chamber below said separatory passage and above said casing packer to allow the re-entry of the diverted liquid production that has flowed out of said separatory passage, and down the annular space for containment in the area that has been blocked off by the casing packer;   (k) a milled space located adjacent said separatory passage, the milled space is in fluid communication with the concentric chamber and carries fluid around said separatory passage;   (l) perforations on the center tubing located above said separatory passage to allow the re-entry of liquid production from the said concentric chamber to said flow channel; and   (m) said gas anchor apparatus shaped in the form of a cylinder, said cylinder enclosing control and balance lines.   
     
     
       4. A concentric chamber gas anchor for separating free gas from a well production fluid, which is located downhole in a hydrocarbon producing well, comprising: (a) tubular casing for the well:   (b) a concentrically spaced, interior tubular flow channel for the recovery of production fluid, which contains oil, water and gas;   (c) means for lifting a relatively gas free mixture of production liquid up said flow channel;   (d) an annular space formed between said tubular casing and said flow channel;   (e) a casing packer located between said tubular casing and said flow channel to seal off a lower portion of said annular space;   (f) a subsurface safety valve located in said flow channel above said casing packer;   (g) a tubing plug located in said flow channel above said subsurface safety valve to divert the flow of production fluid;   (h) at least one separatory passage for carrying said diverted production fluid from said flow channel to said annular space, each passage being only connected between said flow channel and said annular space, said separatory passage being adapted to facilitate a primary gas/liquid separation;   (i) a concentric chamber located around said flow channel in the area of said separatory passage and said tubing plug formed by attaching an outer shell to the center piece of tubing, the concentric chamber enclosing control and balance lines for the subsurface safety valve;   (j) a fluid intake located in the lower portion of said concentric chamber below said separatory passage and above said casing packer to allow the re-entry of the diverted liquid production that has flowed out of said separatory passage, and down the annular space for containment in the area that has been blocked off by the casing packer;   (k) a milled space located adjacent said separatory passage, the milled space is in fluid communication with the concentric chamber and carries fluid around said separatory passage; and   (l) perforations on the center tubing located above said separatory passage to allow the re-entry of liquid production from the said concentric chamber to said flow channel.